Many small businesses downtown took advantage of the shutdown to make changes.
While it feels like 2020 has lasted more than a year already, we have been through a lot in a short amount of time. The shutdown started in a cold, gloomy month and everything looks different now… the sun is out, and though it feels like summer, summer doesn’t yet feel normal.
Gone for the time being are the opportunities for large gatherings that we all associate with summer fun: concerts, fairs, and festivals. Businesses are open, but even they seem different.
And they are…
Many small businesses downtown took advantage of the shutdown to make changes: Norma’s has a completely new look inside; Inner Harmony refinished floors and repainted; Market House began expanding into the space next door; Handlebar got new doors to the dining patio; Every shop is cleaned and scrubbed ready for customers again.
And we must be ready to patronize them with the same enthusiasm shown by Illinoisans going to Missouri before Phase 3 began. Our local businesses deserve our patronage more than any establishment elsewhere.
Why? Because it was our businesses that supported our community. It was Times Square Sewing Center that made and donated over 20,000 masks to locals when they themselves were banned from conducting regular business.
Now is the time to patronize local businesses more than ever before. During these critical reopening weeks, they are taking extra precautions to keep us safe. We must make the extra effort to support them during this tenuous time that may determine the very future of their business.
It was World Travel Jacksonville giving vacation refunds for clients while not booking any new travel. It was Leo’s Pizza who still hosted “Pack the House” fundraisers for area agencies working hard through the shutdown.
It was On the Clip Side who helped share information about what other businesses were doing while they had to stay closed.
It was SafeCo that made donuts to give to the community. And it was All Occasions who gave away her flowers to spread some joy.
It is the hair salons, boutiques, bars, bowling alley, theaters, and restaurants that have always supported our schools, causes, and citizens whenever they have asked… and now they need us more than ever.
Only a small percentage of businesses qualified for assistance programs that were available. Some were only funded at a level that provided help for limited uses. Many workers and business owners couldn’t get unemployment benefits. Other assistance programs were not even available for rural areas or were depleted within hours of opening.
Now is the time to patronize local businesses more than ever before. During these critical reopening weeks, they are taking extra precautions to keep us safe. We must make the extra effort to support them during this tenuous time that may determine the very future of their business.
Our community has been wonderful with participating in online sales, social media support, and ordering carry out during the shutdown. Now we have to step up the game a bit more.
We must allow more waiting time to get in places with limited occupancy. We must be patient with workers adjusting to new routines and safety requirements. We must even be understanding with product limitations and fewer choices. And we must cooperate with rules that allow our businesses to be in compliance while trying to serve us. It’s really not too much to ask.
In this time of intentional living, we can make a real difference in our community by simply planning and prioritizing where to spend our money.
To illustrate that point: Do you know anyone around here who works for IKEA? Does that bar in Missouri sponsor a local sports team? Did Zulily provide a donation for your fundraiser?
Many locals know the name of talented wood workers, leather crafters, and makers of many things who live in this area. From furniture to clothing to books and more, many local shops are happy to check if they can order special items on request even if they are not stocked in the store… just ask!
Jacksonville Main Street continues to spread the word about all that downtown has to offer… especially now. With a new website and social media platforms, JMS is focused on sharing information to and about local businesses.
While many know Jacksonville Main Street for its Downtown Concert Series, many still don’t know that the non-profit is independent from the city, receiving no state or federal funding for operation. Many others also don’t know what else JMS does.
Throughout the shutdown, JMS kept going, sharing protective equipment and supplies with businesses and other agencies, searching for and sharing information on funding resources, created Open for Business listings and a Sharing is Caring event to promote all open stores and restaurants, checking in with businesses to identify ways to help, and marketing available offerings on various platforms.
This volunteer-driven organization is still advocating for businesses, planning more beautification projects and murals, and looking forward to hosting a public input session as part of its strategic planning for the future. And we need your participation in all of it!
While JMS longs to host another public event downtown soon, please plan to do whatever you can now to show everyone how our community takes care of each other and just how great Jacksonville is!